Description
Bring the warmth and tradition of Easter to your kitchen with this easy recipe for homemade hot cross buns. Soft, spiced, and perfectly sweet, these buns are a delightful treat to share with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 cup milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup currants
- Zest of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- In a separate bowl, warm milk and melt butter. Add yeast to the warm milk mixture and let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Pour the yeast mixture and egg into the dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Add the dried fruit and citrus zest, kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 375Β°F (190Β°C).
- Gently punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth bun and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Let the buns rise for another 30 minutes.
- Prepare the cross paste by mixing 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 cup water until smooth. Pipe crosses onto each bun.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the buns are baking, prepare the glaze by heating 1/4 cup apricot jam with 1 tablespoon water in a saucepan until smooth.
- Once the buns are out of the oven, brush them with the glaze for a glossy finish.
- Let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh yeast and allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free environment.
- Ensure even baking by rotating the baking sheet halfway through.
- To add a chocolatey twist, mix in chocolate chips with the dried fruit.
- Serve warm with butter or toasted with jam.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 250 Kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: hot cross buns, easter buns, traditional recipe, homemade bread, spiced buns, baking, easter baking